Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing is a crisp, fresh, and satisfying side dish that’s ready in just 15 minutes. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping kale tender and the dressing creamy. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Mujadara Lentils and Rice Recipe for Dinner and Easy Lemon Chickpea Orzo Soup for Cozy Dinners.
Why This Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Is Pure Comfort
- Crisp kale and sweet apples in every bite
- Creamy lemon tahini dressing that's out of this world
- Better than takeout and ready in just 15 minutes
- Perfect for meal prepping and making ahead
What You'll Need for Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 large bunch kale
- 2 apples
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Pumpkin seeds
- Optional: Sunflower seeds
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Kale: Remove tough stems and tear into bite-sized pieces.
- Apples: Choose your favorite variety. I like Fuji or Honeycrisp.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in the dressing's flavor. → See on Amazon
- Tahini — Creamy and rich, it's the star of the dressing. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Prepare the kale: Remove tough stems and tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine kale, diced apples, and dressing. Toss until kale is well coated. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Divide salad among plates and top with your choice of toppings. Serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the kale. It will wilt and become soggy. Start with less dressing and add more as needed.
- Pro tip: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the salad.
- Pro tip: Make the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge. It will keep for up to one week.
Storing & Reheating Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time. The salad is best made fresh.
Freezing Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for the tahini.
- Best substitution: Any sweet apple variety will work well in this salad.
- Make-ahead: The dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time. The salad is best made fresh.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Makes a big difference in the dressing's flavor. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 large bunch kale
- 2 apples
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the kale: Remove tough stems and tear kale into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine kale, diced apples, and dressing. Toss until kale is well coated. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Divide salad among plates and top with your choice of toppings. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for the tahini.
- Best substitution: Any sweet apple variety will work well in this salad.
- Make-ahead: The dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time. The salad is best made fresh.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: The dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time. The salad is best made fresh.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing FAQs
Yes, the dressing can be made up to one week ahead of time. The salad is best made fresh to prevent the kale from becoming soggy.
This can happen if the tahini is too thick. Add more water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Sunflower seed butter is a great nut-free substitute.
Yes, this salad is perfect for winter. The crisp kale and sweet apples make it a refreshing side dish for cozy meals.
Make sure to remove the tough stems and tear the kale into bite-sized pieces. This will help to tenderize the kale.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
